East Lancs pet foodbanks for owners who can't afford to feed animals

FOOD poverty in East Lancashire has reached such levels that even pet owners are now visiting foodbanks.

People are turning to foodbanks for help as they are struggling to support not only themselves, but also their beloved dogs and cats.

As a result, volunteers have started giving out pet food amid fears that people will use the contents of food parcels to feed their pets before they feed themselves, and will end up going hungry.

Foodbanks say that they are regularly including tins and packets of animal food in their emergency food parcels.

While, dog charity Pendle Dogs in Need has even set up its very own doggy foodbank in an attempt to feed Burnley and Pendle’s starving canines.

Recently, dog kennels and rehoming charities in East Lancashire have made headlines after the Lancashire Telegraph reported that such a high number of pets were being abandoned after owners found themselves no longer able to afford to keep them.

Animal charities said that they are ‘full to the brim’ and are struggling to cope.

Caroline Collins, of foodbank charity RAFT Foundation in Rossendale said: “It first came to my attention around Christmas time, when a woman asked me if I would mind if she fed the tinned meat we had donated to her dog.

“Since then, we’ve come across several people that would feed their dog before they would feed themselves.

“We have been collecting pet food regularly since then to give out to people that have pets and now every time someone is referred to us, we ask them if they have a pet.

The RAFT Foundation is currently feeding around 10 pets per week and Caroline says that they have fed not only cats and dogs but hamsters, rabbits and gerbils.

The charity has an agreement with Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary in Ramsbottom in which they donate any food that they cannot keep, such as bread and fresh vegetables, to the charity for them to include in their pig and horse feed.

In turn, Bleakholt donates any tins of cat food, dog food that they have spare to the RAFT Foundation.

Anyone referred to the foodbank is also specifically asked if they have pets so the provisions can be made to feed the animal too.

Ruth Haldane from the Ribble Valley foodbank said a local company regularly donates dog food to the charity, which is then given out to people in need.

The foodbank has also given out cat food on occasion.

She said: “We do realise that we can’t just say ‘get rid of your pet’, that pet might have been with them for some time, and it may be their only friend.

“If we don’t give out pet food, then perhaps the food we give out, some of it will go to the dog.”

Ros Duerden, of Blackburn Foodbank said: “Pet food is not something that we’ve ever asked for but people regularly donate it to us and it is distributed quickly.

“When we meet with people that are referred to us, we ask them if there is anything that they need particularly and often people tell us that they are struggling to feed their pet and we help out with that.”

And Mark Hirst from Community Solutions, which runs food banks in Burnley and Hyndburn, said: “We offer pet food as part of our service, we offer it if people need it, as part of a holistic approach.”

Pendle Dogs in Need has been donating tins of dog food to those facing hardship for around 12 months, but until now never had a steady enough supply of food to call itself a foodbank.

Currently, the charity has collection points stationed in Morrisons in Nelson, The Pet Store in Barrowford and in their own drop-in shop in Leeds Road, Nelson but in the coming weeks, are due to place even more throughout Burnley and Pendle in order to firmly establish their dog foodbank.

The charity says that in the past 12 months, it has had two-to-three referrals a week but it believes the demand is significantly higher in reality.

Paula Knowles, who runs the kennels said: “We were very quiet about it because we knew we didn’t have enough food to give out to everyone and we didn’t want to turn anyone away.

“The council, mental health teams and other organisations have been contacting us for emergency dog food for some time and we have always helped.

“But now, with all the changes to benefits that are happening and the massive numbers of dogs that are being abandoned everyday because people can’t afford them, we know we have to act and luckily, we are getting regular donations of food meaning we should be able to provide for everyone that is referred to us.

“More and more people are finding themselves on benefits and those benefits are being cut more and more frequently.”

“Dogs are much more than pets to a lot of people. They are family members.

“A young man was referred to us after he fled from domestic violence. His dog was all he had and when I met with him, he was heartbroken. He thought that because he had no money he would have to get rid of this animal that he was absolutely devoted to.

“We really want to be able to help people in that situation and in turn, lower the number of dogs that end up abandoned or mistreated.”

Pendle Dogs in Need dog foodbank will work in much the same way as a regular foodbank does.

People with dogs in need will be referred to the centre by a number of agencies including social services, mental health teams, the council, police, vets or their GP.

Comments (20)

This really is getting ridiculous, I hope the RSPCA are taking note.
If you cannot feed yourself you should not have a animal it is tantamount to cruelity, how can you expect the rest of the community to pay for your pets. Crikey the scroungers will be expecting us to pay for there sky and fags next.

This really is getting ridiculous, I hope the RSPCA are taking note.
If you cannot feed yourself you should not have a animal it is tantamount to cruelity, how can you expect the rest of the community to pay for your pets. Crikey the scroungers will be expecting us to pay for there sky and fags next.2 for 5p ridesagain

This is so sad, bad enough that people can't feed themselves but to have to give up a pet because of this is heart breaking. I will continue to give as needed. The whole thing is tragic in this day and age.

This is so sad, bad enough that people can't feed themselves but to have to give up a pet because of this is heart breaking. I will continue to give as needed. The whole thing is tragic in this day and age.velocityowl

Also whilst we are on a foodbank story :
Be very carefully think twice before you visit a foodbank for a hand-out. I will be watching foodbanks. I consider people who use foodbanks when they have children as child neglect, because the benefit is being spent on other things possibly drugs.
So if I see any people who have children visiting foodbanks I will inform social services. You have been warned.

Also whilst we are on a foodbank story :
Be very carefully think twice before you visit a foodbank for a hand-out. I will be watching foodbanks. I consider people who use foodbanks when they have children as child neglect, because the benefit is being spent on other things possibly drugs.
So if I see any people who have children visiting foodbanks I will inform social services. You have been warned.2 for 5p ridesagain

2 for 5p ridesagain wrote:
Also whilst we are on a foodbank story :
Be very carefully think twice before you visit a foodbank for a hand-out. I will be watching foodbanks. I consider people who use foodbanks when they have children as child neglect, because the benefit is being spent on other things possibly drugs.
So if I see any people who have children visiting foodbanks I will inform social services. You have been warned.

In your case, a brain bank would probably be more useful!

[quote][p][bold]2 for 5p ridesagain[/bold] wrote:
Also whilst we are on a foodbank story :
Be very carefully think twice before you visit a foodbank for a hand-out. I will be watching foodbanks. I consider people who use foodbanks when they have children as child neglect, because the benefit is being spent on other things possibly drugs.
So if I see any people who have children visiting foodbanks I will inform social services. You have been warned.[/p][/quote]In your case, a brain bank would probably be more useful!Oldmanofthemountains

It won't be long before some soft touch sets up a beer and fags bank for our great unwashed

[quote][p][bold]yyy's1[/bold] wrote:
How about a beer bank, I'll be a customer![/p][/quote]It won't be long before some soft touch sets up a beer and fags bank for our great unwashed2 for 5p ridesagain

2 for 5p ridesagain wrote:
Also whilst we are on a foodbank story :
Be very carefully think twice before you visit a foodbank for a hand-out. I will be watching foodbanks. I consider people who use foodbanks when they have children as child neglect, because the benefit is being spent on other things possibly drugs.
So if I see any people who have children visiting foodbanks I will inform social services. You have been warned.

So what you going to do ask for there name and address? I think there is a good chance you will be arrested sat outside a food-bank watching children. You are to thick to realize that food banks are more for people that do not have benefits. Another thing a food-bank is not a takeaway service you have to be referred by one of the services you have mentioned. I think you need to sort your own miserable life out before you comment on others you really are a sad individual.

[quote][p][bold]2 for 5p ridesagain[/bold] wrote:
Also whilst we are on a foodbank story :
Be very carefully think twice before you visit a foodbank for a hand-out. I will be watching foodbanks. I consider people who use foodbanks when they have children as child neglect, because the benefit is being spent on other things possibly drugs.
So if I see any people who have children visiting foodbanks I will inform social services. You have been warned.[/p][/quote]So what you going to do ask for there name and address? I think there is a good chance you will be arrested sat outside a food-bank watching children. You are to thick to realize that food banks are more for people that do not have benefits. Another thing a food-bank is not a takeaway service you have to be referred by one of the services you have mentioned. I think you need to sort your own miserable life out before you comment on others you really are a sad individual.the beaver

2 for 5p ridesagain wrote:
Also whilst we are on a foodbank story :
Be very carefully think twice before you visit a foodbank for a hand-out. I will be watching foodbanks. I consider people who use foodbanks when they have children as child neglect, because the benefit is being spent on other things possibly drugs.
So if I see any people who have children visiting foodbanks I will inform social services. You have been warned.

What an idiot you are! Vouchers are given by professionals such as health visitors. Most will know of family circumstances. How sad that you have nothing better to do than threaten fellow human beings, and spend time watching. Maybe you could volunteer somewhere to fill your time more productively the foodbank in Blackburn runs on volunteers.

[quote][p][bold]2 for 5p ridesagain[/bold] wrote:
Also whilst we are on a foodbank story :
Be very carefully think twice before you visit a foodbank for a hand-out. I will be watching foodbanks. I consider people who use foodbanks when they have children as child neglect, because the benefit is being spent on other things possibly drugs.
So if I see any people who have children visiting foodbanks I will inform social services. You have been warned.[/p][/quote]What an idiot you are! Vouchers are given by professionals such as health visitors. Most will know of family circumstances. How sad that you have nothing better to do than threaten fellow human beings, and spend time watching. Maybe you could volunteer somewhere to fill your time more productively the foodbank in Blackburn runs on volunteers.over-worked

Only in this country do people with little money expect to still be able to have everything that everyone else does but want someone else to pay for it, either with benefits or handouts.

The saying goes that "Charity begins at home" So whilst I am not against people helping others if they so wish you really should help yourself first and foremost. If you find yourself in difficult times the answer is not to be found by owning a pet, watching Sky, having expensive mobile contracts, All-Inclusive foreign holidays, getting 10 tattoos or smoking fags.

As an example, I work for myself. I do not have an all singing all dancing phone and the attendant contract, I have what is necessary and never pay more than £30 per month (bearing in mind I also use it for business). I will have had 4 holidays this year and the grand total for all of them is less than £1,000. I don't have Sky or any other satellite service but I spend a lot of time doing things that are free out in the Great British countryside. I don't have a pet as they are expensive and tying. I don't borrow money and what's spare is paying off my mortgage. I invest into a pension and pay for appropriate life and sickness protection. All of that is done on £20,000 per annum. I claim no benefits and no one has ever given me anything. All it takes is the right attitude, personal pride and responsibility for yourself. It's not up to other people, it's up to you!

Only in this country do people with little money expect to still be able to have everything that everyone else does but want someone else to pay for it, either with benefits or handouts.
The saying goes that "Charity begins at home" So whilst I am not against people helping others if they so wish you really should help yourself first and foremost. If you find yourself in difficult times the answer is not to be found by owning a pet, watching Sky, having expensive mobile contracts, All-Inclusive foreign holidays, getting 10 tattoos or smoking fags.
As an example, I work for myself. I do not have an all singing all dancing phone and the attendant contract, I have what is necessary and never pay more than £30 per month (bearing in mind I also use it for business). I will have had 4 holidays this year and the grand total for all of them is less than £1,000. I don't have Sky or any other satellite service but I spend a lot of time doing things that are free out in the Great British countryside. I don't have a pet as they are expensive and tying. I don't borrow money and what's spare is paying off my mortgage. I invest into a pension and pay for appropriate life and sickness protection. All of that is done on £20,000 per annum. I claim no benefits and no one has ever given me anything. All it takes is the right attitude, personal pride and responsibility for yourself. It's not up to other people, it's up to you!It's a spade!

velocityowl wrote:
This is so sad, bad enough that people can't feed themselves but to have to give up a pet because of this is heart breaking. I will continue to give as needed. The whole thing is tragic in this day and age.

i,m sure you mean well but there is just as many if not more rogues than genuine people taking advantage of a free hand out and l know because l have seen people doing it. l know of one example where a wide boy in the local area buying hand outs from so called poor people for pennies and selling large quantities from his van at a well known car boot sale. so do be aware of these elements.

[quote][p][bold]velocityowl[/bold] wrote:
This is so sad, bad enough that people can't feed themselves but to have to give up a pet because of this is heart breaking. I will continue to give as needed. The whole thing is tragic in this day and age.[/p][/quote]i,m sure you mean well but there is just as many if not more rogues than genuine people taking advantage of a free hand out and l know because l have seen people doing it. l know of one example where a wide boy in the local area buying hand outs from so called poor people for pennies and selling large quantities from his van at a well known car boot sale. so do be aware of these elements.noddy57

2 for 5p ridesagain wrote:
Also whilst we are on a foodbank story :
Be very carefully think twice before you visit a foodbank for a hand-out. I will be watching foodbanks. I consider people who use foodbanks when they have children as child neglect, because the benefit is being spent on other things possibly drugs.
So if I see any people who have children visiting foodbanks I will inform social services. You have been warned.

Anything that reduces the time available for you to put offensive, imbecilic posts on these sites gets my vote!

[quote][p][bold]2 for 5p ridesagain[/bold] wrote:
Also whilst we are on a foodbank story :
Be very carefully think twice before you visit a foodbank for a hand-out. I will be watching foodbanks. I consider people who use foodbanks when they have children as child neglect, because the benefit is being spent on other things possibly drugs.
So if I see any people who have children visiting foodbanks I will inform social services. You have been warned.[/p][/quote]Anything that reduces the time available for you to put offensive, imbecilic posts on these sites gets my vote!Oldmanofthemountains

It's a spade! wrote:
Only in this country do people with little money expect to still be able to have everything that everyone else does but want someone else to pay for it, either with benefits or handouts.

The saying goes that &quot;Charity begins at home" So whilst I am not against people helping others if they so wish you really should help yourself first and foremost. If you find yourself in difficult times the answer is not to be found by owning a pet, watching Sky, having expensive mobile contracts, All-Inclusive foreign holidays, getting 10 tattoos or smoking fags.

As an example, I work for myself. I do not have an all singing all dancing phone and the attendant contract, I have what is necessary and never pay more than £30 per month (bearing in mind I also use it for business). I will have had 4 holidays this year and the grand total for all of them is less than £1,000. I don't have Sky or any other satellite service but I spend a lot of time doing things that are free out in the Great British countryside. I don't have a pet as they are expensive and tying. I don't borrow money and what's spare is paying off my mortgage. I invest into a pension and pay for appropriate life and sickness protection. All of that is done on £20,000 per annum. I claim no benefits and no one has ever given me anything. All it takes is the right attitude, personal pride and responsibility for yourself. It's not up to other people, it's up to you!

Spot on

[quote][p][bold]It's a spade![/bold] wrote:
Only in this country do people with little money expect to still be able to have everything that everyone else does but want someone else to pay for it, either with benefits or handouts.
The saying goes that "Charity begins at home" So whilst I am not against people helping others if they so wish you really should help yourself first and foremost. If you find yourself in difficult times the answer is not to be found by owning a pet, watching Sky, having expensive mobile contracts, All-Inclusive foreign holidays, getting 10 tattoos or smoking fags.
As an example, I work for myself. I do not have an all singing all dancing phone and the attendant contract, I have what is necessary and never pay more than £30 per month (bearing in mind I also use it for business). I will have had 4 holidays this year and the grand total for all of them is less than £1,000. I don't have Sky or any other satellite service but I spend a lot of time doing things that are free out in the Great British countryside. I don't have a pet as they are expensive and tying. I don't borrow money and what's spare is paying off my mortgage. I invest into a pension and pay for appropriate life and sickness protection. All of that is done on £20,000 per annum. I claim no benefits and no one has ever given me anything. All it takes is the right attitude, personal pride and responsibility for yourself. It's not up to other people, it's up to you![/p][/quote]Spot on2 for 5p ridesagain

2 for 5p ridesagain wrote:
Also whilst we are on a foodbank story :
Be very carefully think twice before you visit a foodbank for a hand-out. I will be watching foodbanks. I consider people who use foodbanks when they have children as child neglect, because the benefit is being spent on other things possibly drugs.
So if I see any people who have children visiting foodbanks I will inform social services. You have been warned.

What an idiot you are! Vouchers are given by professionals such as health visitors. Most will know of family circumstances. How sad that you have nothing better to do than threaten fellow human beings, and spend time watching. Maybe you could volunteer somewhere to fill your time more productively the foodbank in Blackburn runs on volunteers.

Oh well if that is the case then they will have nothing to worry about then will they (laugh) .
If they wish to run the gauntlet with social services good luck to them .
Spending time watching for people that neglect there children is for the good of society, and oh will I be on the look out. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

[quote][p][bold]over-worked[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]2 for 5p ridesagain[/bold] wrote:
Also whilst we are on a foodbank story :
Be very carefully think twice before you visit a foodbank for a hand-out. I will be watching foodbanks. I consider people who use foodbanks when they have children as child neglect, because the benefit is being spent on other things possibly drugs.
So if I see any people who have children visiting foodbanks I will inform social services. You have been warned.[/p][/quote]What an idiot you are! Vouchers are given by professionals such as health visitors. Most will know of family circumstances. How sad that you have nothing better to do than threaten fellow human beings, and spend time watching. Maybe you could volunteer somewhere to fill your time more productively the foodbank in Blackburn runs on volunteers.[/p][/quote]Oh well if that is the case then they will have nothing to worry about then will they (laugh) .
If they wish to run the gauntlet with social services good luck to them .
Spending time watching for people that neglect there children is for the good of society, and oh will I be on the look out. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.2 for 5p ridesagain

It's a spade! wrote:
Only in this country do people with little money expect to still be able to have everything that everyone else does but want someone else to pay for it, either with benefits or handouts.

The saying goes that &quot;Charity begins at home" So whilst I am not against people helping others if they so wish you really should help yourself first and foremost. If you find yourself in difficult times the answer is not to be found by owning a pet, watching Sky, having expensive mobile contracts, All-Inclusive foreign holidays, getting 10 tattoos or smoking fags.

As an example, I work for myself. I do not have an all singing all dancing phone and the attendant contract, I have what is necessary and never pay more than £30 per month (bearing in mind I also use it for business). I will have had 4 holidays this year and the grand total for all of them is less than £1,000. I don't have Sky or any other satellite service but I spend a lot of time doing things that are free out in the Great British countryside. I don't have a pet as they are expensive and tying. I don't borrow money and what's spare is paying off my mortgage. I invest into a pension and pay for appropriate life and sickness protection. All of that is done on £20,000 per annum. I claim no benefits and no one has ever given me anything. All it takes is the right attitude, personal pride and responsibility for yourself. It's not up to other people, it's up to you!

Spot on

Do you have support from the community mental health team ? If not make some time to get a referral.

[quote][p][bold]2 for 5p ridesagain[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]It's a spade![/bold] wrote:
Only in this country do people with little money expect to still be able to have everything that everyone else does but want someone else to pay for it, either with benefits or handouts.
The saying goes that "Charity begins at home" So whilst I am not against people helping others if they so wish you really should help yourself first and foremost. If you find yourself in difficult times the answer is not to be found by owning a pet, watching Sky, having expensive mobile contracts, All-Inclusive foreign holidays, getting 10 tattoos or smoking fags.
As an example, I work for myself. I do not have an all singing all dancing phone and the attendant contract, I have what is necessary and never pay more than £30 per month (bearing in mind I also use it for business). I will have had 4 holidays this year and the grand total for all of them is less than £1,000. I don't have Sky or any other satellite service but I spend a lot of time doing things that are free out in the Great British countryside. I don't have a pet as they are expensive and tying. I don't borrow money and what's spare is paying off my mortgage. I invest into a pension and pay for appropriate life and sickness protection. All of that is done on £20,000 per annum. I claim no benefits and no one has ever given me anything. All it takes is the right attitude, personal pride and responsibility for yourself. It's not up to other people, it's up to you![/p][/quote]Spot on[/p][/quote]Do you have support from the community mental health team ? If not make some time to get a referral.over-worked

This is getting ridiculous, if you can't feed a pet don't have one. the more that is given out for free the more people will want it, and the less they are likely to go and do something useful to EARN it

This is getting ridiculous, if you can't feed a pet don't have one. the more that is given out for free the more people will want it, and the less they are likely to go and do something useful to EARN itjohnnyb*!

Honestly what a judgmental lot some of you are. What a silly person you are to say you will report people to social services.... how about you get a job and put money into the system then maybe you wont have time to be watching the coming and goings of a food bank all day. and those who are saying dont have a pet if you cant afford it just think about where all these abandoned pets would go if everyone took your advice... and further to that do you claim tax credit and or child benefit yourself? if so. dont have a kid unless you can afford one. JESUS!!!

Honestly what a judgmental lot some of you are. What a silly person you are to say you will report people to social services.... how about you get a job and put money into the system then maybe you wont have time to be watching the coming and goings of a food bank all day. and those who are saying dont have a pet if you cant afford it just think about where all these abandoned pets would go if everyone took your advice... and further to that do you claim tax credit and or child benefit yourself? if so. dont have a kid unless you can afford one. JESUS!!!commonsensesally

commonsensesally wrote:
Honestly what a judgmental lot some of you are. What a silly person you are to say you will report people to social services.... how about you get a job and put money into the system then maybe you wont have time to be watching the coming and goings of a food bank all day. and those who are saying dont have a pet if you cant afford it just think about where all these abandoned pets would go if everyone took your advice... and further to that do you claim tax credit and or child benefit yourself? if so. dont have a kid unless you can afford one. JESUS!!!

Get them put to sleep....it's not rocket science Sally. It's humans that are responsible for the amount of pets in this country and it's humans that should deal with the issue.

A cull is long-overdue!!!!!

[quote][p][bold]commonsensesally[/bold] wrote:
Honestly what a judgmental lot some of you are. What a silly person you are to say you will report people to social services.... how about you get a job and put money into the system then maybe you wont have time to be watching the coming and goings of a food bank all day. and those who are saying dont have a pet if you cant afford it just think about where all these abandoned pets would go if everyone took your advice... and further to that do you claim tax credit and or child benefit yourself? if so. dont have a kid unless you can afford one. JESUS!!![/p][/quote]Get them put to sleep....it's not rocket science Sally. It's humans that are responsible for the amount of pets in this country and it's humans that should deal with the issue.
A cull is long-overdue!!!!!GracesDad

I don"t believe that people are saying they can"t afford to feed their pets. you can go to the supermarket and get tins of pet food or sachets for 30 or 40 pence each. I have two rescue cats and we always make sure that money for food is available, even though my husband only works part time and I am receiving benefits. Animals always seem to suffer whatever happens, they don"t judge you, all they want is a caring owner.

I don"t believe that people are saying they can"t afford to feed their pets. you can go to the supermarket and get tins of pet food or sachets for 30 or 40 pence each. I have two rescue cats and we always make sure that money for food is available, even though my husband only works part time and I am receiving benefits. Animals always seem to suffer whatever happens, they don"t judge you, all they want is a caring owner.mrs wizzit